Do you use mouthwash? If so, do you use it before or after you brush your teeth?

[SpaceGalaxy]

[mandyfire98]

Never after because a dentist told me that washing away toothpaste defeats the purpose and that you're supposed to spit and not rinse after brushing your teeth. It's supposed to sit on your teeth a while before you can rinse.

I was told, floss then use mouthwash to break up what got loosened in between your teeth. Then wait like 30 minutes and then brush your teeth.

[Levin]

Spit? Flouride is pretty toxic I think.

[mandyfire98]

Not at levels in toothpaste. Too small an amount.

[mandyfire98]

You can rinse your mouth with water but only after it's had time to do it's thing on your teeth. If you rinse immediately then you're washing it all away. You're not just brushing stuff off your teeth when you brush, you're also fighting plaque and stuff for later on.

[Levin]

I don't use it much.

I heard some dentist say that saliva in your mouth is the first part of your digestive system. ie I think using mouthwash too much affects the flora in your digestive system.

Flossing and brushing is better.

[IridescentWave]

Yes. Brush -> Mouthwash -> Floss. Twice a day.